Police deny manpower shortage impacts on service delivery in Glencoe
"We request the community to be understanding and everyone will be assisted in time."
Police have denied that a shortage of manpower and/or vehicles is impacting on service delivery in Glencoe.
Lt Col Thulani Zwane, SAPS Provincial spokesman, was reacting to queries following a complaint to the Courier by a Northfield Crescent resident who was attacked at his home the previous Thursday evening.
The resident said he had locked up his shop and drove home at around 9pm.
When he stopped his vehicle, he was accosted by two men who threatened him with a knife and a firearm and robbed him of money. The men then fled on foot.
The victim says he then tried calling the police but he was told there were no vehicles and/or manpower to assist.
He then called an off duty policeman he knew who came round to assist.
He said it was concerning that residents are left to their own devices when it comes to security as police cannot assist.
The Courier contacted the Glencoe SAPS who said they are not able to comment and referred comments to their regional and provincial offices.
“His complaint was not delayed and the shortage of the manpower/ resources has nothing to do with this incident.”
Lt Col Zwane said he had ‘asked for details and claimed that the complainant did not phone the police station but instead he went personally where he found the police officers and screamed at them’.
“Whilst the police officers interviewed him, he rushed off without giving them information about the incident and his details. Police officers who were at the community service centre liaised with members, who were already attending to complaints, to check on the resident who had been attacked.
“The complaint was attended to in time and the complainant was assisted.
“His complaint was not delayed and the shortage of the manpower/ resources has nothing to do with this incident.
“Glencoe is a small police station under the Umzinyathi Cluster. All complaints are being attended to on time however on occasions police may be required to prioritize cases in terms of their seriousness.
“We request the community to be understanding and everyone will be assisted in time.”
However, those who spoke to the Courier privately claimed that with many members booking off sick, the station was under strain to deliver.
The claims could not be verified.
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